Drug seizures up by almost 15% during pandemic in Wiltshire
The figures rose nationally as well
The number of drug seizures in Wiltshire increased by nearly 15% during the pandemic.
Home Office data shows Wiltshire Police carried out 1,849 seizures in the year to March – up 14% from 1,624 the year before.
Police chiefs say a drop in calls from the public during parts of 2020-21 meant forces across the country had more capacity to proactively focus drugs crimes and county lines activity.
There were 220,000 seizures nationally, up more than a fifth from 2019-20.
However, Release, the national centre for drugs expertise, said seizures have little impact on the availability of drugs, claiming people had no difficulties finding a dealer in a "resilient and adaptable market", even during the pandemic.
Dr Laura Garius, Release's policy lead, said the organisation's monitoring of UK drug purchasing during the pandemic found more people reported an increase in consumption:
"Just as we see with recorded drug offences, drug seizures reflect policing activity and priorities, rather than accurately reflecting drug market activity."
Class A drugs such as heroin and cocaine were seized by Wiltshire police 435 times during the year to March.
However, cannabis was a factor in 79% of all seizures.
Variations of the class B substance were found in 1,457 of them, with police confiscating 1,191 cannabis plants as a result.
Policing and Crime Minister, and Test Valley MP, Kit Malthouse said:
"Drugs gangs ruin lives and dismantling their conspiracies for good means breaking their businesses and destroying their profits.
"Well done to the Border Force and police for tackling this head on."